Judo made its very first appearance at the Olympic Games in 1964 in Tokyo. However, it was not included in the Olympic programme in 1968 in Mexico City, but returned, never to leave again, at the 1972 Games in Munich. As for women's judo, it was added to the Games in 1992 in Barcelona.

Men and women now compete in seven weight categories. There was originally a men's category open to all weights, but this event was withdrawn after the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.